Flying machine



T. VAN VOORST, FLYlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.192I.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

T. VAN VOORST.

FLYING MACHINE.

` APPucATloN man JULY 5.1921.

Patented Sept; 5, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l Patented Sept. 5, 1922. l

l amai stuur4 cica.

THEODORE VAN VOORST, 0F TOUCHET, WASHINGTON.

I FLYING MACHINE.

Application filed July 5,v

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, THEoDonn l VAN Voons'r, a citizen of the United States, lresiding at Touchet, in the county of )Valla )Valla and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying' Machines, of which the following is a speciliciation.

This invention relates to flying machines, of the helicopter variety, and its operatingmeans.

One object of the invention is to provide means to raise a flying machine vertically and without a running start.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of propulsion and lifting combined into one.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for operating the propellers that will automatically maintain an even keel.

means of control.

A further object is to provide a simple and which are pivotally attached to the moand resilient landing means.

`Withthese and other objects in view reference is now had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device assembled with propeller in lifting position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional 'side elevation of the device with the propellers advanced for travelling.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device with one propeller removed to show control cords.

Fig. 4 is a central sectional elevation of the machine showing walls and bottom.

Fig. 5 shows a side elevation of drum and operating worm; and

Fig. 6 shows the automatic means which regulates the speed 'of the respective pro--` pellers. 1

'Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout and the numeral (1) refers to the housing of the machine which is preferably boat shaped with its bottom. (2) however, fiat to provide as much room as possible for storage pur- VVithin the housing is the operating mechanism which is of a peculiar design essential to the proper operation of the machine. This mechanism consists of al motor (3) which is mounted in such a manner that it has a slight longitudinal movement with a variation of the housing from vthe horizontal, the purpose of which will be A further object is to provide a simple 1921. Serial No. 482,635.

presently explained. The mounting consists preferably of rollers (4) so that the move- Ament of the motor is free of frictional resistance and hence will move forward or backward with a very slight variation from the horizontal. Operaibly attached to the motor, by the chain belt (5), is the differential (6) mounted on the line shaft (7), and attached to the respective differential gears (8) `are discs (9) and (10) respectively, which obviously rotate with the line shaft.

Loosely mounted on the line shaft are other discs (11) and (12), respectively, joinedv together by a yoke (13) by which means the two last mentioned discs operate together and when one of these discs approach one of the first mentioned discs the other disc correspondingly recedes. The disc (11) is attached to a. sleeve let) which, as before mentioned, is slidably mounted on the line shaft and the sleeve is moved longitudinally by means of the movement of the motor acting on the parallel bars (15) which are suspended from some convenient point above tial which is connected with the propeller mosteflicient; hence with this Ybraking means cooperating with the differential the machine will always be maintained horizontal and on an even keel.

.Propellers (17) are preferably attached to each end of the machine, and in-such a manner that they' may rotate therein and at the same time support the machine. This is accomplished by large thrust bearings (18) placed above and below the sill (19) through whichthe; shaft propeller (20) passes. Below the bearings is a gear (21) which meshes with the gear (22) attached to a shaft (23) which in turn is coupled to the line shaft (7 by the universal joint (24). It will here be stated that a universal joint'may be substituted for the gears if desired. The propeller shaft has interposed therein a universal joint (25) which permits the propeller y Y I 1,428,066

to be shifted in the various positions required.

The propellers are normally positioned horizontal and parallel with the housing, as shown in Fig. l, however to move forward the propellers are moved in the forward direction, see Fig. 2, and are given sufficient inclination to support, and at the same time propel the machine. The propellers consist of a rim (32)'which is supported by the spokes (33) preferably of Wire, and which may be further stayed by the stiffeners (34) made of wood or other stiff metal. The propeller is of the shape of a screw the thread,

of which makes one complete turn, andl is covered by a covering member (35) of prepared cloth or other air tighttmaterial.

As above mentioned the angle of inclination of the propellers must be changed to the direction of travel and I. accomplish this movement o f the propellers by the cross arms (36) which are loosely attached to the propeller shaft (20) that it may rotate without'affecting the position of the cross arms. lIhe cross arms extend laterally from the shaft and have attached thereto cords (or wires) (37) which pass over the pulleys (38) to the drums (39), they being operated by the` worm (40) and hand wheel (41); thus by turning the drums the tightening of a particular cord is accomplished and the angle of the propeller changed to the required direction.

Attached to the outer wall of the housing I have provided a landing means which I deem novel and which consists of wheels (42) mounted in rocker arms (43) attached pivotally to the housing at the point (44) and which are joined together by the tension member (45) and the compression member (46), both of which members being so called as they carry a spring (47), which is preferabl encased in a tube (48), whereby they whee s may move apart on landing and permit the machine to come to rest without jar. Seats (49) 'may be provided forward and to the rear of the engine room (50) and windows (51) will permit the passengers to observe the scenery.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

1. In a flying machine, the combination of a housing, a self regulating operating mechanism consisting of a movable motor and a differential mechanism contained within said housing, universally mounted propellers, operable by means of said mechanism, and means for changing the angle of inclination of said propellers, and a resilient landing means operably attached to said housing.

2. In a flying machine, the combination of a housing, a self regulating operating mechanism consisting of a movable motor, a longitudinally extending line shaft, a differential,a braking means cooperating with said differential and automatically operable with the longitudinal movementl of said motor, universally mounted propellers, rotatably attached to said housing, and operable by said motor, and means to change the angle of inclination of said propellers.

3. In a flying machine, the combination of a boatshaped housing, a` Self regulating operating mechanism contained within said housing and comprising a motor, a line shaft connected to said motor and extending longitudinally through said housing, and provided with a differential, and a braking means connected with said differential said braking means automatically operable by the movement of said housing from the horizontal, rotatable and universally mounted propellers attached to said housing and positioned normally horizontal and parallel with said housing, means for changing the angle of inclination of said propellers, means foroperating said propellers from said line shaft, and a resilient landing means attached to said housing.

4. In a flying machine, a housing, propellers rotatably mounted at each end of said housing, said propellers consisting of a rim, spokes supporting said rim, and an air tight covering member covering said spokes, a cross arm loosely attached to and extending from the'shaft of each of said propellers, cords attached thereto and operable with drums, means for operating said propellers and in a manner to maintain said housing horizontal, and a resilient landing means consisting of landing wheels attached to said housing by means of yrocker arms, and

vtension and compression members attached to and cooperatingly uniting said rocker arms.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

THEoDoR VAN vooRsT. 

